Portfolio



May 28, 1963 c. A. CIRIGHLIANO PORTFOLIO Filed Sept. 19, 1961 INVENTOR.6455A? A- Of/Gl/ANO United States Patent 3,091,482 PORTFOLIO CaesarAnthony Cirigliano, 146 Somerset Ave, Fairfield, Conn. Filed Sept. 19,1961, Ser. No. 139,305 4 Claims. (Cl. 281-33) This invention relates toan improved portfolio for the storage, transportation and display ofmaterial in sheet form.

While the invention has numerous applications, it has been particularlydesigned for use in the storage, trans por-tation and display of storymaterial, such as the story material used in making presentations in thetelevision field. By way of example, it is common for an advertisingagency to prepare pictorial and text material for presentation to aclient, corresponding to a proposed television program or commercial. Inthe past, large and bulky storyboards have been used, each storyboardcontaining a series of pictures corresponding to successive frames orscenes of the proposed program or commercial, each of the storyboardsalso containing text which may be narrated by the person making thepresentation. These storyboards have been diflicult to store, transportand display.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improvedportfolio for the storage, transportation and display of pictorial ortextual material arranged to be presented in sequential form.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portfolio of theabove-described type which may be readily collapsed for storage andtransportation purposes, and which may be readily erected for displaypurposes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portfolio of theabove-described type having simple means for the substitution ofdifferent display material.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved portfolio ofthe above-described type which may be readily erected for displaypurposes, and wherein sheet material received within the portfolio maybe readily sequentially moved into convenient viewing position, withselected material readily accessible to the view of an onlooker and withother selected material readily available for reference by the personmaking the presentation.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the displayunit comprises an outer binder and an inner binder. Each bindercomprises a pair of rectangular panels having respective end edgeshingedly connected to each other. The remaining end edges of the innerbinder panel are hingedly connected to the respective panels of theouter binder. The binders are foldable along their various hingeconnections to a closed or collapsed condition in which all of thepanels are parallel to each other, with the hinge connection between theinner binder panels located adjacent to the hinge connection between theouter binder panels and with the inner binder panels received betweenthe outer binder panels. In this condition, the portfolio may be readilystored or transported.

The inner binder serves as an ordinary looseleaf notebook, with sheetmaterial received in a ring binder located adjacent the hinge connectionbetween the inner binder panels. Accordingly, in the collapsed conditionof the unit, the stored material is amply protected, and yet the entireunit looks like a large notebook.

The binders are further foldable on their hinged connections to displaycondition in which the successive panels are generally perpendicular toeach other. In other words, if one of the outer binder panels is placedupon a horizontal supporting surface, the other outer binder panelextends vertically. One of the inner binder panels 3,091,482 PatentedMay 28, 1963 ice then extends horizontally, and the other extendsvertically. Any suitable means are provided for releasably maintainingthe binders in their display condition. It will be apparent that in thedisplay condition, the display sheets may be successively folded tooverlie the top face of the horizontal inner binder panel and the outerface of the vertical inner binder panel. The material on the sheets maybe so arranged that when pictorial material, for example correspondingto a frame or scene of a television commercial, is displayed on theexposed face of the outer sheet mounted against the vertical innerbinder panel, for easy viewing by the onlooker, text materialcorresponding to the pictorial material being exhibited is then visibleupon the top sheet mounted upon the horizontal inner binder panel, inwhich position it is accessible for reading only to the person makingthe presentat-ion.

The above-described construction is highly advantageous, because itmakes it possible to present material with a minimum of distractionsince the onlookers attention can be focused upon the single panel ofmaterial which is displayed in vertical viewing position on theportfolio. At the same time, the material can be transported withoutcalling attention to the fact that it is in any Way special or unusual.Furthermore, by the provision of a plurality of ring holders or thelike, each holding a different set of sheets, which may be readilyreplaced in the inner binder, it is possible to make a series ofpresentations utilizing a single portfolio.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawings, inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portfolio in accordance with thisinvention, in collapsed and closed position;

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1, showing the portfolio open but stillcollapsed;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the portfolio openand erected into display condition;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the sheet holder beingremoved from the inner binder; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sheet holder.

Upon reference to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that it showsan outer binder 9 and an inner binder 20 which are hingedly connected toeach other to form a display unit. Said outer binder 9 comprises a pairof rectangular panels 10 and 1 1 of the same size and shape. Panels 10and 11 may be made of any suitable stiff material such as isconventionally employed in notebook construction. Thus, said panels 10and 11 may optionally be made of rigid cardboard which may beappropriately covered with sheet material. Adjacent end edges of saidpanels 10 and 11 are connected together along their entire width bymeans of a hinge connection 12 which is not disclosed in detail andwhich may be any conventional hinge connection. Preferably, hingeconnection 12 is a spine of arcuate cross section hingedly connected tothe respective adjacent end edges of panels 10 and 11. The remaining endedges 13 and 14 of outer binder 10 are free.

The inner binder 20 comprises respective rectangular panels 21 and 22 ofthe same size and shape. Respective end edges of these inner binderpanels 21 and 22 are connected to each other along the length thereof bymeans of a spring hinge connection 23, which is optionally of the kindcommonly used in spring binders. Said hinge connection 23 is arcuate incross section and may be flexed in the direction of arrows 1a and 1b(FIG. 4).

Preferably, the panels 21 and 22 are made of the same material as panelsand 11. Preferably, the width and length of inner binder panels 21 and22 are less than the width and length of panels 10 and 11. Panel 22 isconnected along its remaining end edge, by means of binge connection 24,to panel 11. The distance between hinge connection'24 and hingeconnection 12 is preferably substantially the same as the length ofpanel 21.

Panel 21 is hingedly connected along its remaining end edge, by means ofhinge connection 25, to panel 10. The distance between hinge connection25 and hinge connection 12 is preferably substantially the same as thelength .of panel 22. i

The hinge connections are such that the binders are foldable on saidhinge connections to closed condition in which the four panels 10, 11,21 and 22 are parallel to each other with the hinge connection 23adjacent hinge connection 12 and with the inner binder panels 21 and 22located between the outer binder panels 10 and 11.

Said binders 9 and are further foldable on their hinge connections todisplay condition in which successive panels are generally perpendicularto each other. In the preferred display condition, panel 10 is adaptedto rest upon a flat horizontal support, with panel 11 thenextendinggenerally vertically. Panel 21 then correspondingly extends generallyvertically and is located forwardly of and parallel to panel 11. Panel22 then extends generally horizontally and above and parallel to panel:10.

Any suitable means may be employed for maintaining the unit releasablyin its display condition. As shown in the drawing, at each side of theunit, folding legs 30 and 31 are respectively hinged at their remoteends, by means of pivots 2, to lugs 3 on the respective hingeconnections 23 and 12. The adjacent ends of legs 30 and 31 are attachedto each other by lateral pivot 32, with any suitable means provided(such as friction at the pivots) for locking the legs 30 and 31 inaligned relationship to maintain the unit in its display condition. Itwill be apparent that the legs 30 and 31 may be readily moved to foldedcondition in order to collapse the unit.

Preferably, in accordance with the invention, I provide .areplaceable-sheet-holder 40 comprising a metal spine 41 to which spacedrings 42 are mounted in the usual manner, three such rings 42 beingshown for illustrative purposes. The spine 41 may contain anyappropriate conventional mechanism (not shown) for opening and closingthe rings for insertion and removal of sheet material therefrom. Aplurality of notebook sheets 43 have the usual holes through which therings 42 are extended in the usual way, so that the notebook sheets maybe turned on the rings to be located against either of the inner binderpanels 21 or 22, as desired.

While it is within the scope of the invention to mount the sheet holderpermanently on the inner binder, I prefer to make the sheet holderentirely separate so that it is possible to substitute material fordisplay purposes merely by replacing sheet holder 40. To this end, theinner spring binder 20 may be bent slightly (arrows 1a and 1b) so as toprovide clearance for removal of the spine 41 (arrow 10) and replacementthereof.

In any event, it will be apparent that with the unit in its erected ordisplay condition, the sheets 43' can initially all rest upon the panel22 and may be successively turned so as to lie against the exposed orfront face of panel 21.

By way of illustration of the use of the unit, each sheet 43 may havepictorial matter 4311 on the face thereof which is exposed when thesheet lies against panel 21, such pictorial matter 43a, for example,depicting a scene of a proposedv television program or commercial. Textmaterial corresponding to the selected picture 43a may be printed uponthe opposite face of the next sheet 43, as designated by the referencenumeral 43b, in such away as to be exposed while the pictorial matter43a is exposed, on the top of the stack of sheets on panel 22. Thus, asshown in the drawing, the particular text material '43b which is exposedmay be explanatory of the exposed pictorial matter 43a. In this way, itis possible for the person presenting the material to have available forhis reading text material corresponding to the pictorial material beingdisplayed, the text material being visible only to the person who isdisplaying the material.

It will be apparent that the unit may be readily assembled into itsviewing position. On the other hand, it is a simple matter to collapsethe unit into storage or carrying position, in which position the innerbinder panels are located wholly inwardly of the periphery of the outerbinder panels. If desired, an optional carrying handle 50 may beattached to panel 10, by any suitable means, and any suitable claspmeans 51 may be provided for releasably clamping the two panels togetherin their closed position. Such clasp means 51 is conventional and is notshown in detail.

While -I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention and haveindicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be madetherein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions andadditions may be made in the invention without departing from the scopeand spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. Display unit comprising an outer binder, an inner binder, each saidbinder comprising a pair of rectangular panels having end edges of thesame width and side edges of the same length and hingedly connected toeach other along respective adjacent end edges, the remaining end edgesof said panels of said inner binder being hingedly connected to therespective panels of said outer binder, all of the hinge connectionsbeing parallel to each other, said binders being foldable on their hingeconnections to closed condition in which the panels are all parallel toeach other with the hinge connection between the adjacent edges of therespective inner binder panels proximate to the hinge connection betweenthe adjacent edges of the respective outer binder panels and with theinner binder panels between the outer binder panels, said binders beingfurther foldable on their hinge connections to display condition inwhich successive panels are generally perpendicular to each other andeach inner binder panel is parallel to the outer binder panel other thanthe one to which it is hingedly connected, means for releasablymaintaining said binders in their display condition, and means formounting display sheets on said inner binder within said sheet turnablyattached adjacent an edge thereof to said inner binder at the hingeconnection of said inner binder panels so that said sheets may be turnedto overlie both of said inner binder panels.

2. Display unit comprising an outer binder, an inner binder, each saidbinder comprising a pair of panels having opposed end edges and hingedlyconnected to each other along respective adjacent end edges, theremaining end edges of said panels of said inner binder being hingedlyconnected tothe respective panels of said outer binder, all of the hingeconnections being parallel to each other, said binders being foldable ontheir hinge connections to closed condition in which the panels are allparallel. to each other with the hinge connection between the adjacentedges of the respective inner binder panels proximate to the hingeconnection between the adjacent edges of the respective outer binderpanels and with the inner binder panels between the outer binder panels,said binders being further foldable on the hinged connections to displaycondition in which the successive panels are angularly disposed withrespect to each other and each inner binder panel is parallel to theouter binder panel other than the one to which it is hingedly connected,means for releasably maintaining said binders in their displaycondition, andmeans for mounting display sheets on said inner binderwith each said sheet turnably attached adjacent an edge thereof to saidinner binder at the hinge connection of said inner binder panels so thatsaid sheets may be turned to overlie both of said inner binder panels.

3. Display unit comprising an outer binder, an inner binder, each saidbinder comprising a pair of rectangular panels having end edges of thesame width and side edges of the same length and hingedly connected toeach other along respective adjacent end edges, the dimensions of eachinner binder panel being smaller than the corresponding dimensions ofeach outer binder panel, the remaining end edges :of said panels of saidinner binder being hingedly connected to the respective panels of saidouter binder, all of the hinge connections being parallel to each other,said binders being foldable on their hinge connections to closedcondition in which the panels are all parallel to each other with ahinge connection between the adjacent edges of the respective innerbinder panels proximate to the hinge connection between the adjacentedges of the respective outer binder panels and with the inner binderpanels between and wholly inside the periphery of the outer binderpanels, said binders being further foldable on their hinge connectionsto display condition in which successive panels are generallyperpendicular to each other and each inner binder panel is parallel tothe outer binder panel other than the one to which it is hingedlyconnected, means for releasably maintaining said binders in theirdisplay condition, and means for mounting display sheets on said binderwith each sheet turnably attached adjacent an edge thereof to said innerbinder at the hinge connection of said inner binder panels so that saidsheets may be turned to overlie both of said inner binder panels.

4. Display unit according to claim 3, said means for mounting displaysheets on said inner binder comprising a spine and rings mounted on saidspine, the hinge connection between said inner binder panels beingadapted to receive said spine frictionally and releasably.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,881,008 Goldman Apr. 7, 1959

1. DISPLAY UNIT COMPRISING AN OUTER BINDER, AN INNER BINDER, EACH SAIDBINDER COMPRISING A PAIR OF RECTANGULAR PANELS HAVING END EDGES OF THESAME WIDTH AND SIDE EDGES OF THE SAME LENGTH AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED TOEACH OTHER ALONG RESPECTIVE ADJACENT ENDS EDGES, THE REMAINING END EDGESOF SAID PANELS OF SAID INNER BINDER BEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THERESPECTIVE PANELS OF SAID OUTER BINDER, ALL OF THE HINGE CONNECTIONSBEING PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, SAID BINDERS BEING FOLDABLE ON THEIR HINGECONNECTIONS TO CLOSED CONDITION IN WHICH THE PANELS ARE ALL PARALLEL TOEACH OTHER WITH THE HINGE CONNECTION BEWEEN THE ADJACENT EDGES OF THERESPECTIVE INNER BINDER PANELS PROXIMATE TO THE HINGE CONNECTION BETWEENTHE ADJACENT EDGES OF THE RESPECTIVE OUTER BINDER PANELS AND WITH THEINNER BINDER PANELS BETWEEN THE OUTER BINDER PANELS, SAID BINDERS BEINGFURTHER FOLDABLE ON THEIR HINGE CONNECTIONS TO DISPLAY CONDITION INWHICH SUCCESSIVE PANELS, ARE GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER ANDEACH INNER BINDER PANEL IS PARALLEL TO THE OUTER BINDER PANEL OTHER THANTHE ONE TO WHICH IT IS HINGEDLY CONNECTED, MEANS FOR RELEASABLYMAINTAINING SAID BINDERS IN THEIR DISPLAY CONDITION, AND MEANS FORMOUNTING DISPLAY SHEETS ON SAID INNER BINDER WITHIN SAID SHEET TURNABLYATTACHED ADJACENT AN EDGE THEREOF TO SAID INNER BINDER AT THE HINGECONNECTION OF SAID INNER BINDER PANELS SO THAT SAID SHEETS MAY BE TURNEDTO OVERLIE BOTH OF SAID INNER BINDER PANELS.